2008 Super Chevy Show Joliet - Jivin' In Joliet

Project American Heroes 2 is unveiled at the Illinois Super Chevy Show

Project American Heroes 2 Gets Unveiled At The Illinois Super Chevy ShowWhat a great event! The Super Chevy Joliet show rolled into town at the Route 66 Raceway, and so did the American iron from all over the mid-western states. By all definitions, the show was a success. Project American Heroes 2, our '69 Camaro built for the benefit of the Armed Forces Foundation by the Route 66 Motorsports crew (and finished in record time), was unveiled at the Joliet show. The Super Chevy attendees' reaction was everything we hoped for-the crowds were so thick around the Camaro when it was on display, that it was hard for anyone to snap a shot!

And then the rains came later in the afternoon-the bright red '69 Camaro sure received it's baptism that day. While other vehicles scattered and looked for shelter or trailers, the Camaro stayed put and received its first wash job, whether it wanted it or not. That was Saturday. On Sunday the sky was blue and there were 100 more vehicles that showed up for the car show than on Saturday. Truth be told, there were more magazine feature-quality cars at the Joliet show than at the California show. The downside was there were so many cool cars, we just didn't have enough time to photograph them all. To all sharp-looking Chevy owners, come back next year; we'll get your cars then.

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The Tremec True Street turnout was decent, too. Not great, but a good start. A total of 10 sharp-looking cars made the reliability run and the back to back passes down the track. They are as follows:

MORE PHOTOS

I have to admit these are just about the coolest looking tool boxes, but I wonder how well they balance when filled with tools.

I don't know what a Superleggera is (must be Italian), but it had a modern LS engine in it (definitely not Italian).

Haw, now that's typical! Dad is polishing and cleaning the Nova while the boys are standing around watching him work. Just wait till they get old enough to drive, then Dad can hang that over their head.

Here is another thing we saw that was pretty cool: a beer bottle wind chime. It does make you wonder-when the wind blows, what type of sound do the bottles make? Hmmm...

A Chevy tattoo that takes up the entire forearm . . . now that is a dyed-skin, hardcore, devoted Bow Tie guy.

JolietTruthfully, it was hard to get a photo of the PAH2 Camaro. The crowds were so thick around the vehicle, we thought about renting the Goodyear blimp just to get a snapshot of it. The crowd at the show really did enjoy the car.

We loved this sock 'em in the jaw '68 Nova. Chris Suddeth blacked out the bumpers, trim, and grille, and was running black steelies with dog dish caps. Very subtle and very nice.

During the rainstorm a whirlpool formed just next to this Chevelle. No worries, it didn't get sucked away.

As the time drew near to unveil PAH2, the crowds started lining up along the wall early in order to catch a glimpse.

And the cover comes off. The crew from Route 66 Motorsports had some serious pie eyed smiles on their faces when the car was unveiled.

And then the rains came. Plastic bags sprouted legs and ran through the parking lot of the show car area, which was about 2 inches deep in water.

After the rains, we tested the sea-worthiness of our golf carts. Yup, they still worked after that.

Take a look at these two photos. Chester the Cheetah would be proud of this Cheeto-colored wagon. But the owner Ed Gardner weathered the storm with a smile, and the very next day was polishing his car.

And why is the guy from Jax Wax smiling? He just sold a truckload of cleaner to all the rain-stained car owners.

Speaking of beautiful cars we didn't get a chance to photograph, check out this vehicle. Owned by Dave Alfred, this Camaro had some superb craftsmanship, and we dug the marblized stripes on the hood.

Paul Clines had one of the sweetest-looking trucks at the show. A non-assuming '67 C-10 painted in sea foam green. His wife hates the painted wheels (she told us so). Good choice, Paul, we love the painted Rally wheel look. Chevy trucks-does it get any better?

Now here is something you will never see: a 1956 El Camino. Is there such a thing? Well, there wasn't until now. George Flondor has a one of a kind creation '56 here.

Speaking of winners: Steve Hoch and his '68 Vette took the Tremec True Street Challenge first place award and an Editor's Choice Drag award. Steve and his '68 Vette with a 540 big-block ran an average of 8.98 in the quarter-mile during his three passes in the competition. Suuuweeet!

Now this one is good for a laugh. White Trash...they must be relatives of mine. Bill Ingraham gave us plenty of cold Old Style beer for giving him an Editor's Choice drag award.

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